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Described and named Phalena plumata caudata by James Petiver in 1700, this was the first North American saturniid to be reported in the insect literature. [2] The initial Latin name, which roughly translates to "brilliant, feather tail", [9] was replaced when Carl Linnaeus described the species in 1758 in the tenth edition of Systema Naturae, and renamed it Phalaena luna, later Actias luna ...
As the caterpillars grow larger into the second larval instar, they become yellow green. During the third, fourth, and fifth instars, the cecropia moth becomes rather large and bluish green. At these final stages, the tubercles become blue, yellow or orange, depending on location on the body, while the black hairs are eventually lost.
Many caterpillars are cryptically colored and resemble the plants on which they feed. An example of caterpillars that use camouflage for defense is the species Nemoria arizonaria. If the caterpillars hatch in the spring and feed on oak catkins they appear green. If they hatch in the summer they appear dark colored, like oak twigs.
The caterpillars can grow to 11.5 cm (4.5 in) in length and 2.5 cm (0.98 in) in thickness. They have white, waxy, fleshy spines along their backs, which become more prominent at later instars . On the last abdominal segment beside the prolegs , there is a large green spot surrounded by an orange ring.
These large, bright green caterpillars may look dangerous, but they are nothing to be afraid of and will eventually turn into a regal moth. These large, bright green caterpillars may look ...
The first instar: Caterpillar larvae vary in size and are capable of being between 1.5-2.0mm in length. [3] At this stage a hatchling lacks its characteristic coloring and instead tends to be a translucent lime green with green or black tentacles and green protuberances along the skirt which lack the long spiny thorns that are seen in older ...
Caterpillars grow up to 9 centimetres (3.5 in) and are green in the first instar, but may be one of a variety of colors in later instars, including green or brownish-red. [ 7 ] [ 8 ] The head and first two thoracic segments can be retracted into the third segment. [ 8 ]
When the eggs hatch, small yellow caterpillars emerge. As the caterpillars age, they molt five times (the fifth being into a pupa). Each instar is slightly different, but on their fifth and final instar, they become bright green with silver spots on their sides. They feed heavily on their host plant and can grow up to 3–4 inches long.